Minocqua Area Fishing Report
Wind, rain, cold and snow. Water temps in the Lakeland area continue to fall. Fast dropping temps have put turn-over behind us, concentration will be deeper now.
Musky: Fair-Good. Varying reports. Some areas slow, probably due to turn-over, others that had been off saw a spike in activity. Suckers have been king – supply tough west of 51, but 51 and east are good for wilds. Glide baits such as Smuttly Dogs and rubber baits such as Alien Eels, Medussas and larger twitch and jerk baits are moving fish best as is typical for this time of year. Good numbers of tigers caught over the weekend as well as a 49” true musky.
Walleye: Fair-Good. Best to fish deep water lakes in 40-50’ using suckers of 3-5” (chubs if you can find them), on 3/8 oz to ½ oz jigs or Lindy style rigs. Find drop-off areas with transition zones of hard to soft bottom. Vertical jigging ½ oz spoons or Jigging Raps where schools are marked so competition is there.
Smallmouth Bass: Good. Use caution fishing deep (35-45’) using suckers. Retrieve slowly so as to be able to safely release big smallies of 20+”.
Crappies: Fair/Good. Action slowing. Best relating to drowned wood – 12-14’ deep. Use medium fatheads to target nice crappies of 11+”.
Pike: Fair/Good. Live bait rigs using 4-7” suckers or chubs. Concentrate on heavy weeds of 8-12’.
Water temps average around 49 to 50 degrees. That’s still 5 degrees warmer than this time last year, but closer than the 12 degrees warmer just two weeks ago.
Snow and cold this week should continue to cool. Musky fishing hasn’t been “hot” yet, so this should be the week.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop